"Civilizations of the Ancient World offers a unique approach to exploring the cultures of the key civilizations of ancient times. By combining historic engravings with a modern commentary that is at once authoritative and accessible, it creates both a celebration of ancient cultures and an invaluable reference for all students of early history." "The main section of the book focuses on Egypt, Mesopotamia. Greece and Rome, offering a detailed exposition of each in turn through a thematic approach to key aspects of these ancient cultures. Government, society, warfare, religion, work, technology, trade, leisure, architecture, food, costume and daily life are all unveiled in vivid detail through carefully designed compositions of both coloured and monotone engravings. A supplementary section features timelines, maps and overviews of the other key civilizations that were flourishing throughout the world at the same time. The result is a close-up view of the four great civilizations that hold a particular fascination for modern readers, alongside a broader, contextual panorama of the global cultures that shaped the ancient world. The book has over 1,000 colour and black-and-white illustrations."--Jacket.